So many great food & drink related books were released this year. It was really tough to keep up, but very fun trying even if it meant just hitting the highlights. I only got through just a fraction of all the books of my list. Hope you get the chance to check some of these out especially my two local favorites:
Having dined at each of Ethan Stowell's Seattle-area restaurants, I find that his latest book really gives insight into the experience he aspires to create for his dinners. Ethan starts this book by describing his ideal dinner: "There are two of you --cozy, but not alone. Laughter and music float around you, as does the muted percussion of silver on porcelain. There's that soft light that makes everyone look better and a bottle of wine on the table. It doesn't have to be pricey, just good." His book is a collection of dishes not unlike you would find at his restaurants - tasty combinations of simple, but high-quality ingredients. These are recipes that have a reliance on good technique and Ethan is able to convey this throughout the book with a good amount of pictures.
Shauna James Ahern and Daniel Ahern's Gluten-Free Girl and the Chef
You don't have to be on a gluten-free diet to enjoy this book, you simply have to share Shauna & Danny's love for good food. Many think that a dietary restriction means a severely limited diet, but the recipes in this book prove that it doesn't have to be like that. In fact, for Shauna, having to go glutten-free meant getting introduced to new foods that she hadn't tried before. The recipes in this book are full of flavor and full of warmth as they mingle in the story of their family. I had the chance to feast on some of these recipes at the lunch they hosted at the International Food Blogger Conference in Seattle. It would be lovely to meet them someday :)
Here are some of my other favorites:
Around My French Table: More Than 300 Recipes from My Home to Yours
by Dorie Greenspan
This is approachable French home cooking. Dorie includes some classic dishes and plenty of tips.
I picked this one up after my trip to S.E. Asia and it took me back to the delicious street food that I thoroughly enjoyed. These recipes are fantastic!
Heart of the Artichoke and Other Kitchen Journeys
by David Tanis
Ahh...the talent of David Tanis. This is a fun book and gives you ideas for times you want to cook for just you or for a big group.
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